Asymptomatic dissection of the ascending aorta: Diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography

A young man with marfanoid habitus underwent transesophageal echocardiograp hy to evaluate an aortic root abnormality visualized on transthoracic echoc ardiography. Transesophageal echo demonstrated a type A aortic dissection t raversing across the right sinus of Valsalva hut not invoking the aortic va lve, right coronary artery, or pericardial sac. The aorta was not dilated. This is apparently the first reported case of an asymptomatic and uncomplic ated aortic dissection localized to the sinus of Valsalva, Copyright (C) 19 99 by W.B. Saunders Company.